Defying the Lycan King

University with Connor as bodyguard; the contract nights begin. On the day of the Queen's Blessing Kira is lured away with a fake text and something in her tea; Ruby takes her place. Kira proves the plot, and the woman who served the tea pays the price.

A forced honeymoon at Snow Crest: the handbag diner, the beach house, the Volkov contract trap, Kira's night terrors and recovered memories of Rolf's attempts on her life. Umbras attack Alpha Lucas's banquet; Alistar tells the history of the Shadow King and the Nexus, and Kira learns her father is the traitor Derek swore to destroy. Sandra arrives with a boy.

Back in Dravengard: notes, the night market, the photo booth, the first real kiss. Ruby swaps Kira's "fertility" herbs, sabotages the fundraiser and lures Derek away; Kira meets Lydia in secret. A row, a night outside a hotel door, an apology, and a ride home on Leo.

Ruby's love-potion perfume, the push down the grand staircase, Ishita's "accident" and Sasha's secret. Kira lets the women Ruby thought were gone walk into the tribunal, and the pack passes judgement on Ruby.

Brian closes in; Umbras disguised as Northern Lycans attack the palace and Kai is badly hurt; Jessica is his soulbond. Crane is revealed as Maurice's twin and Brian's father. Derek and Kira are crowned; blackmail photos, a torn-up contract and a confession: "I like you, Kira."

Crane, not Rolf, arranged the massacre. Derek's raid is a trap while Dravengard is besieged; Claudia tells Kira her mother is alive, Braxton is her twin and she is the Nexus. Brian takes Kira; she escapes with Olivia's help, only to be framed by Lydia's chip in her ring. Derek breaks her in public, and she shifts into a white Lycan.

Braxton hides Kira at Crystal Moon, where she meets her mother. Derek traps Crane and learns the truth about the massacre. A month later Kira is pregnant, petitions the Wolf Council for Moonfang, meets Derek in a corridor, and he comes to her brother's garden with an apology.

Derek confesses his original plan; Kira tells him she is pregnant. She returns to Dravengard on her terms for Nana's sake. Derek's cough is the refused bond draining him. Claire walks into the first hearing alive; Nana passes judgement on Crane; Kira finds the blood-stained handkerchiefs.

"I love you" in a car park; Umbras attack the Lycan summit and Kira reveals herself as the Nexus. They mark each other; twins; Brian returns. Jake turns on Rolf at the second hearing, Moonfang goes to Claire, and Kira lets herself be taken.

Inside the Shadow King's stronghold Kira plays weak, saves Nana with a lie, and finds Lydia on the throne and Braxton at her side. The dome breaks, the armies charge, Brian gives his life for Kira, and the real Shadow Queen is revealed and ended. Funerals, crowns, and an accident on a bridge. The end of the main story.

Kai comes home grieving and pressured to marry Alicia. Jessica, with no memory and a new name, moves to Aethelwulf and ends up serving coffee in Kai's own company. He finds her; she does not know him. The sequel arc is ongoing.